Economy
The South American country will import 108,000 tons of paddy rice (equivalent to three weeks of consumption) from Ecuador and Argentina.

The Corporation of Supply and Agricultural Services (CASA) is planning to buy approximately 75,000 tons of paddy rice from Ecuador. The transaction amounts to USD 23.1 million for a total of 25,000 tons of paddy rice, and other 25,000 of processed white rice, EFE reported.

The rice is stored in Ecuador and is part of the strategic reserve of the State which recorded a surplus of production this year.

Meanwhile, the Argentine press reported that cereal producers will sell 33,000 tons of paddy rice to Venezuela. Half of the amount is already in the port of Puerto Cabello, central Carobobo state.

The operation, which could amount to 100,000 tons, was negotiated between the Argentine Minister of Planning, Julio de Vido, and President Hugo Chávez, the newspaper Cronista Comercial reported.